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Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Risk Factors Among Schoolchildren in Ibb Governorate,
Abdulkawi Ali Al-Fakih1,2, Essam Ali Al-Wrafi3, Amat Al-Haleem Abdu Al-Jabar Al-Motawkil3
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ibb University, Ibb, Yemen.
Insights
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a significant public health issue in Yemen, affecting 66.3% of schoolchildren. Protozoan parasites, particularly Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, were most prevalent, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) pose a substantial public health challenge, particularly in developing nations.
- Monitoring IPIs and their risk factors is crucial for effective intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of IPIs among schoolchildren in Ibb governorate, southwest Yemen.
- To identify risk factors associated with IPIs in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 600 schoolchildren from 6 districts in Ibb governorate.
- Fecal specimen analysis using wet mount and formal-ether concentration techniques.
- Data collection via structured questionnaires and statistical analysis using SPSS.
Main Results:
- Overall IPI prevalence was 66.3%, with protozoan infections (56.3%) significantly more common than helminthic infections (10%).
- Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was the most prevalent parasite (28.5%).
- Age was significantly associated with protozoan infections (P = 0.002), and IPIs were linked to diarrhea, dysentery, and abdominal pain.
Conclusions:
- High prevalence of IPIs, especially protozoa, underscores their continued impact as a public health problem in the study area.
- Effective prevention and control strategies are essential to mitigate the incidence of IPIs.
- Further research into specific risk factors and targeted interventions is warranted.
Introduction:
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among schoolchildren are important public health problem, especially in developing countries, and monitoring of such infections and associated risk factors are necessary for intervention strategies. In line with this view, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in Ibb governorate, southwest Yemen.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out during February to April 2020 on 600 schoolchildren selected from 6 districts of Ibb governorate. Fecal specimens were examined using saline and iodine wet mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. Socio-demographic data were collected using pre-designed, structured questionnaires. The results were analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 25 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
Results:
Out of 600 participants, the overall prevalence of IPIs was 66.3% (398/600). The prevalence rate of protozoan infections (56.3%, 338/600) was largely higher than helminthic infections (10%, 60/600). The most common intestinal parasite was E. histolytica/dispar (28.5%, 171/600). S. mansoni infection showed higher infection rate in males (5.3%) than in females (0.4%), with statistically significant difference (P = 0.001). Univariate analysis showed that the age was only significantly associated with protozoan infections, with statistically significant differences (P = 0.002). Regarding to clinical symptoms, the presence of IPIs was significantly associated with diarrhea, dysentery, and abdominal pain.
Conclusion:
The present study revealed that there was a relatively high prevalence of IPIs, especially protozoan parasites, in schoolchildren of the study area, with E. histolytica/dispar being the most prevalent parasite. The results showed that age was only significantly associated with IPIs. According to the results of this study, IPIs are still among the main public health problems in the study area. Thus, effective prevention and control strategies are important to reduce the incidence of IPIs in this area of the country.
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